Friday, March 25, 2011

The Life of an Editor

Today I have Karen Gowen a fellow blogger on Unedited to share with you what it's like to be an editor at a small publishing house.

Jen asked me to tell you what it’s like being an editor for a small publishing company. Three words? IT IS FUN!!!

It’s fun to assist authors in polishing their work and getting it ready for publication. Okay, sometimes it can be rough, like when the editor and the author have different viewpoints about what direction the manuscript should go. In these cases, compromise is king. Although the editor has greater objectivity and also must maintain the marketability of the finished product, the writer often has insights about his work and audience. The editor must respect that, just as the writer must respect the editor’s experience and professionalism.

Recently, WiDo finished work on a regional Southern novel, MISSISSIPPI COTTON by Paul H. Yarbrough. The editors (all Northerners) took issue with some of the references in Paul’s manuscript. Paul (a Southerner) insisted that his Southern audience would “get it.” The editor admitted that he was probably right. He knew his demographic better than anyone and therefore she let him have the kind of creative control that this book needed in order to be a hit with his Southern audience. Judging from the enthusiastic advance reviews for MISSISSIPPI COTTON, this was the right decision.

But sometimes an editor must stand firm or compromise the quality and/or marketability of the finished product. A level of trust must exist on both sides to make this relationship work. When it does, a wonderful book is the end result. When it doesn’t, well, sometimes a contract might be cancelled but we won’t go there because Jen’s blog is a happy place.

As difficult as it is to “let go,” sometimes an author must do just that. Get rid of the favorite parts. Rewrite entire scenes. Take out extra characters. Change names. Change the title. It’s called “the editing process,” and sometimes it hurts. But then so does childbirth.

Besides working with creative geniuses otherwise called authors, I get to work with other editors and miscellaneous brilliant people who are passionate about publishing books. One of my favorite parts of editing is helping to review new submissions, because it is so EXCITING to find something with that special spark of originality. Then there’s the final edit, when it all comes together, and you can’t wait until the book is released. Maybe not quite as excited as the author but almost!

So if you'd like to submit to WiDo publishing check out their website and don't forget to stop by and say hello to Karen Gowen over at her blog!

And I notice the website link to WiDo's site at the end of this post isn't a hot link. But if you go to widopublishing.com and click on the Submission page at the sidebar you can find the submission requirements.

Great post, Karen! And you're right about letting the author guide you and the writer trusting your professional knowledge.

Once I edited a history professor's MS and throughout I'd changed Native American to American Indian. (Or maybe it was the reverse.) In any event, he came back and told me in this case my political correctness was misplaced and the Native Americans preferred that title based on some Tribal Council #such n such dated so in so.

It was all very nice, and I went with his expertise in his field.

So it's fun, and you learn loads of Jeapordy answers (questions?) as an editor! ;p <3

I agree with Karen. Often the editor will think about what will sell, however, the writer should know (have done their research) on the market. I write mysteries and I know what the readers of my type of mysteries will be looking for. I know how to push my readers, push their limits. I like it when the editor respects my decision.

this was a really cool interview, thanx for the insight Karen and Jen. Karen have u ever received submissions where you just want to beg the writer not to quit their day job? or do you think there is some sort of writing talent in everyone?

To answer Joanna's question, sadly yes there are some submissions that come in that are so bad as to be painful to read. And you wonder why oh why is this person so deluded? I know it sounds harsh but really? When someone submits a ms. that is unreadable, what are they thinking? Or one that is intended to "change the world" illuminate the "secret of the universe" and such things. It's not just don't quit your day job, in some cases it's I hope this person even has a day job because they don't seem normal or in touch with reality. Those are on the low spectrum of submissions. Most of the submissions WiDo gets are not that bad, just not quite ready yet. Our submissions editor asks for fulls on probably 5% of the submissions, and will offer a contract on about 1%.

Enjoyed reading your post. Especially liked the way you compared the writing process to childbirth! Ain't it the truth!Also am happy to see that Jen's blog is a happy place. This world needs more happy places!

It is an honor to meet you and thanks for stopping by my blog. Personally, I have two novels I am working on, but I love to blog. I hope to stay in touch! I love your blog and would love to meet your editor friend, because I need one....lol! Hugs!

I've been so fortunate to work with an editor who I trust completely. I think you also have to realize that your editor has the best intentions in mind too. Like you, they want your book to be successful and sell.